Browse More

Get the latest in kids' media, tech, and news right to your inbox

Each week we send a customized newsletter to our parent and teen subscribers. Parents can customize their settings to receive recommendations and parent tips based on their kids' ages. Teens receive a version just for them with the latest reviews and top picks for movies, video games, apps, music, books, and more.

Follow Common Sense

Tackling Super Bowl Controversies with Kids

From cheating scandals to domestic violence to concussions to the halftime show, kids need to know your thoughts on the not-so-fun issues that may come up during the Big Game.By Caroline Knorr1/30/2017

Who doesn't love Super Bowl Sunday? You've got the best teams in the league at the top of their game. You've got commercials that are entertainment unto themselves (and they've gotten progressively more family-friendly over the years). And you have license to eat as many hot wings as you want. Whether you're a fan of the New England Patriots or the Atlanta Falcons, cheering on your favorite team as a family is part of the fun of the day. But some of the issues that have come up around pro football -- from players kneeling during the national anthem to discussion of domestic violence arrests -- can be confusing, and even scary, for kids.

If you're watching with kids, you may want to avoid some of the trickier issues and focus on the fun stuff. But kids are pretty savvy, and since the Super Bowl is a live event, anything could happen. The announcers might mention the Patriots' 2015 "deflategate" scandal, an edgy commercial or the halftime show could spark a debate, or rival fans in your living room could get a little heated. Before you know it, you're caught off guard with subjects that you (let alone your kids) are not quite prepared for.

Hopefully, your game day experience will be one full of fist-bumps and finish-line dances. If any one of these issues arises, here are some questions and ideas to discuss with kids. Remember: This is a fun day, so no need to lecture. Your goal should be initiating conversation to get your kids to think more deeply about the stuff they see and hear.

Protest
In 2016, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick earned praise and criticism when he kneeled during the national anthem to draw attention to the oppression of African-American people. Other athletes have risked fines to wear cleats that represent issues that are important to them. As a way of sanctioning players' protests, the NFL lets them wear cleats that express their views during a special Cleat Week.

Ask your kids:

Do you think what Kaepernick did was an exercise in freedom of speech?

Do you think that because he successfully drew attention to the issue of racism that the end justified the means?

Why do companies spend so much money on Super Bowl ads? (Hint: The Super Bowl garners the biggest TV audience of the year; more viewers means more potential customers.)

Which were your favorite commercials?

Can you always tell which product the commercials are selling?

Do the commercials make you want to buy the product (or tell your parents to buy it)?

The Halftime Show
Leaving aside for the moment that this year's halftime show is literally called the "Pepsi Zero Sugar Super Bowl Halftime Show" (see "Commercials"), the mid-game spectacle is a live event and anything can happen. Super Bowl 50's halftime show starring Cold Play and Beyoncé incited controversy when many people perceived Beyoncé's performance to be an anti-police political statement. This year, Lady Gaga is performing. Just let that sink in.

Ask your kids:

Do you think performers intentionally try for moments that will "go viral"? (Perhaps to elevate their own celebrity?)

Is it OK for artists to use events such as the Super Bowl to express their opinions?

Do you admire someone who takes a stand for their views, or do you wish they would stick to the music?

Domestic Violence
There have been some notable cases of domestic violence within the NFL. Due to high-profile cases, the NFL tightened its punishment for players found guilty of domestic violence and has adopted domestic violence as an awareness cause.

Ask your kids:

Do you know what domestic violence is?

Is it ever OK for someone to hurt someone else? (The answer is no, but if kids look up to a certain player who has been found guilty of domestic violence, they may be confused on that point.)

The game of football includes full-body contact; do you think it could lead to a person being abusive in regular life?

What should the consequences be for someone who is found guilty of domestic violence? Should the NFL suspend them?

What are some ways that an abuser could get better?

Do you think abusers should apologize publicly, or is it enough for them to be punished by the law?

Cheating
Where there are games, there is often cheating. That should come as no surprise to kids. Both the Patriots ("deflategate") and the Falcons (using prerecorded crowd noise) have been caught cheating. When the pros cheat, it's confusing for kids who are taught to play by the rules.

Ask your kids:

Why would a professional athlete cheat? (Answers: money, fame, pride, a sense of being "above the law.")

As Common Sense Media's parenting editor, Caroline helps parents make sense of what’s going on in their kids' media lives. From games to cell phones to movies and more, if you're wondering "what’s the right age for…?"...
Read more

Add comment

Comments (2)

Another thing to talk about: President Trump appearing for an interview after the show with FOX news contributor Bill O'Reilly. Kids should know that the interview is made to make Trump look good and that he has done some pretty bad things over the past few weeks.

Another thing to talk about: President Trump appearing for an interview after the halftime show with Bill O'Reilly, Trump-supporting FOX News contributor. Kids should know that the interview is just making our president look good and that he has made some less-than-good choices over the last few weeks.

PubExchange

Common Sense Media is working with PubExchange to share content from a select group of publishers. These are not ads. We receive no payment, and our editors have vetted each partner and hand-select articles we think you'll like. By clicking and leaving this site, you may view additional content that has not been approved by our editors.

Common Sense is the nation's leading nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of kids and families by providing the trustworthy information, education, and independent voice they need to thrive in the 21st century.

Headquartered in San Francisco, with offices in Los Angeles, New York, and Washington, D.C.

Help center

Follow Common Sense Media

Common Sense, Common Sense Media, Common Sense Education, and Common Sense Kids Action, associated names, associated trademarks, and logos are trademarks of Common Sense Media, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (FEIN 41-2024986).

An email you'll actually read

You’re all set!

Look out for our weekly updates soon.

Follow us:

Each week we send a customized newsletter to our parent and teen subscribers. Parents can customize their settings to receive recommendations and parent tips based on their kids' ages. Teens receive a version just for them with the latest reviews and top picks for movies, video games, apps, music, books, and more.

Get age-based movie reviews, app recommendations, and more for your kids.